A major refurbishment of the station took place between 2006 and 2012 in which Network Rail introduced rainwater harvesting, water saving taps, extra insulation and 2,300 square metres of solar panels.
The solar panels were specially designed to integrate with the iconic design of the Grade I listed building and have reduced carbon dioxide emissions at the station by over 40 tonnes. The panels have also generated one million kilowatts of electricity, enough to power 38 homes for a full year, saving Network Rail £125,000 in utility costs.
Together the green initiatives helped Network Rail achieve a BREEAM excellent rating- the second highest rating given by the Building Research Establishment’s method of assessing, rating, and certifying the sustainability of buildings.
“Network Rail is committed to being as efficient and sustainable as possible” said Rob McIntosh, Network Rail Route Managing Director. “The initiatives we introduced at King’s Cross during the refurbishment are paying real dividends both in terms of reducing our carbon footprint and in saving us money. Whether it’s reducing our bills through the use of renewable energy or by cutting down on the amount of waste we generate, we are doing what we can to be green. We now want to encourage our retail tenants, contractors and station users to do their bit to cut down on waste, increase recycling and be more environmentally friendly.”
For additional information:
